The crazy story behind the ‘Shattered Backboard’ Jordan 1s, explained
The Jordan 1 ‘Shattered Backboard’ colourway is re-releasing for its 40th anniversary. We take a look back at the story behind it’s dynamic colourway
By Cayle Reid
YOU DON’T NEED to be a huge basketball fan to name some of the team’s Michael Jordan has played for. His time with the Chicago Bulls is the stuff of NBA folklore. His stint representing the red, white and blue with the dream team helped spread basketball’s influence across the globe. Many will also know his winning ways began in college with the North Carolina Tar Heels. More dedicated NBA fans will even recall his tenure with the Washington Wizards. But how many – even the most hardcore of hoops historians – remember MJ’s time with Stefanel Trieste?
Not many, we’d wager. But we’ll forgive you if that team’s name doesn’t immediately ring a bell. After all, Jordan only spent one game with the Italian outfit, as part of an exhibition organised by Nike. But while Jordan’s time with the team was short, it did produce some iconic moments.
Jordan’s career with Stefanel was never meant to last. In 1985, the reigning NBA rookie of the year visited the Northeastern Italian port city of Trieste for one game and one game only, with the aim of promoting his burgeoning sneaker line in the European market. The six-foot-six phenom joined Stefanel – now playing in the Italian Serie A as Pallacanestro Trieste – for a single game against Juve Caserta. Stefanel won the game – by a good margin, as far as we can tell – although there isn’t any information on the final score or Jordan’s stats to be found.
But the game won’t be remembered by Jordan’s statline. Midway through the fourth quarter, Jordan performed a dunk so powerful that it immediately shattered the backboard. The game was abandoned, with Stefanel awarded the victory.
This scenario was better than any Nike exec could’ve hoped for. Not only did Jordan impress the crowds during his first trip to Europe, he had done far more memorable than simply stuffing the stat sheet. But it took some time before Nike paid the moment its dues by memorialising it with a shoe on the 30th anniversary of the game.
And thus, the ‘Shattered Backboard’ Air Jordan 1 was born. Releasing in 2015, the colourway utilised Stefanel Trieste’s distinctive orange and black hues and garnered immense buzz within the sneaker community.
The choice of an AJ1 for the Shattered Backboard colourway was fitting, as the shoe originally released in 1985, the same year Jordan shattered the backboard. Indeed, Jordan was even wearing an AJ1 during his lone appearance for Stefanel Trieste.
Is the Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1 re-releasing?
Yes, the Air Jordan 1 ‘Shattered Backboard’ is re-releasing in 2025. Now that we’ve reached the 40th anniversary of Jordan’s game with Stefanel Trieste and of the creation of the Air Jordan 1, Jordan Brand is seizing the opportunity to create a Shattered Backboard reissue.
There’s reason for even more excitement too, because as far we can tell, the 2025 version is one of the more faithful re-releases we’ve seen since the AJ1’s genesis. The reissue is nearly identical to the original, but it comes with some sweeteners. The insole, for one, is printed with a graphic resembling shattered glass – a subtle nod to the scene that inspired the shoe’s creation.
When does the Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1 2025 release?
The Air Jordan 1 Shattered Backboard (2025) doesn’t have an official release date just yet, but it is set for release sometime later this winter. Rumours are currently pointing to an August 23 drop. Check back here and we’ll keep you in the loop.
Where can I buy the Air Jordan 1 ‘Shattered Backboard’?
Once it releases, you can purchase the Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1 at nike.com.au. For previous versions, have a look on StockX.
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